Item

Big John (Sawatis Aiontonnis), Dominique Monique, Caen Aientonnoi, Wishe Lefebre, “Strong Arm,” Pierre Dicke, Anvus Beauvais, Sose Nartouie, Wishe Maurice, Sose Hamrocks, Davit Paten, and Sose Leclair. (Names from newspaper report)

Tribal affiliations

Mohawk

UK locations

Polo Grounds Pontypool Wales - while the South Wales Daily News lists the location as the Pontypool Recreation Grounds but they are located close to the Pontypool Road Railway Station which is the approximate location given by the South Wales Daily News. The Polo Grounds were located at NP4 0TW (since replaced by an industrial estate) while the Station is located at New Inn NP4 0ST. The team also played in many other locations.

Date

31 May 1883

Description

During the Canadian and Iroquois Lacrosse teams’ 1883 tour of Britain, they played at Pontypool Recreation Ground Company. With an audience of 2-3,000 people, they played four lacrosse games and the Iroquois team won three of them. During the first game, one of their players (report says Dicker but then use the name Dicke in the team roster) was sent off for a “breach of decorum” after he struck a Canadian player with his bat and fists. (A Canadian player was also removed from the field in order to equalize the sides.)

Bibliographic sources

“‘Lacrosse’ at Pontypool – A Spirited Pasttime,” South Wales Daily News, 1 June 1883, 2; “Grand Lacrosse Match at Pontypool,” Star of Gwent, 1 June 1883, 8.